Tag Archives: dill

Mustardy Grilled Cabbage and Kielbasa

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Mustard and sausage lovers, this one’s for you. Smoky kielbasa and charred-but-still-crisp cabbage, all drizzled with a bright mustardy dressing, become a full, bulked-up meal thanks to seasoned small potatoes.

When wrapped in a foil packet, the potatoes become perfectly tender in just under half an hour on the grill, making them a simple addition to any dinner you’re already lighting a fire for. Don’t be shy about showering on dill at the end—the herb brings some welcome freshness to the plate.

In place of kielbasa, we used Butifarra which we had on hand. In order not to burn items to a crisp, if you have a hot grill like we do, keep it at medium heat. We also increased mayo-mustard mixture by 50%, and flipped the potato package halfway through grilling.

*In the end, the cabbage was still a bit tough. For a softer experience, quarter the head of cabbage thru core. Put the quarters in a bowl with some water, cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes to soften. Then, cut into wedges…

Mustardy Grilled Cabbage and Kielbasa

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil (for grill)
  • 1 lb. small red potatoes, halved, quartered if larger
  • 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. smoked paprika
  • 4 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 3 Tbsp. whole grain mustard, divided
  • 1 small head of savoy cabbage, cut through core into 2”–3”-thick wedges (*see above head note)
  • 12-oz. kielbasa links, halved lengthwise
  • 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • Torn dill (for serving)

Directions

  1. Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; oil grate with vegetable oil. Combine 1 lb. small red potatoes, halved, quartered if larger, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. smoked paprika, and 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a medium bowl, season generously with freshly ground pepper, and toss to combine. Scrape out onto a large sheet of foil; reserve bowl. Bring foil edges together to make a packet; crimp to seal tightly. Place on grate; cook potatoes until tender, 25–28 minutes, turning halfway through.
  2. Whisk 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard, and 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in reserved bowl to combine. (We suggest you increase this mixture by 50%) Rub mayonnaise mixture over 1 small head of savoy cabbage, cut through core into 2″–3″-thick wedges, working between leaves; reserve bowl. Grill cabbage, turning halfway through, until tender and both cut sides have deep brown marks, 7–9 minutes. Transfer to a platter.
  3. Grill kielbasa, turning halfway through, until charred in spots, about 10 minutes. Transfer to same platter.
  4. Whisk 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar, remaining 2 Tbsp. whole grain mustard, and remaining 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil in reserved bowl. Set dressing aside.
  5. Arrange potatoes on top of kielbasa and cabbage. Drizzle reserved dressing over. Scatter torn dill on top and season with more pepper.

To make without a grill: Preheat oven to 400°. Spread seasoned potatoes out on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet; roast until just tender enough to pierce with a knife, 25–30 minutes. Remove from oven. Heat broiler. Add dressed cabbage and kielbasa to baking sheet with potatoes; broil, turning halfway through, until cabbage is tender and charred in spots and kielbasa is browned, 10–14 minutes.

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Adapted from a recipe by Kendra Vaculin for Bon Appétit

Romanian Pork and White Bean Soup with Vinegar and Caraway

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The original Romanian soup is called ciorbă de porc, which features beef, pork, sausage, meatballs or even just vegetables. Beans and smoked meat are a common pairing, and that is included in this version.

No matter the headlining ingredient, the defining characteristic of ciorbă is a distinct tanginess that comes from the addition of a souring agent. Here, white wine vinegar is used, but other options include pickle brine, sauerkraut liquid, or even the juice of sour plums. Quick-pickled red onion garnishes individual bowlfuls of this ciorbă, adding a sharp, punchy flourish. Make the pickles a day ahead or while the soup simmers so the onion has time to steep in the vinegar mixture.

Don’t forget to soak the beans, as directed in the first step of the recipe, for at least 12 hours before you plan to begin cooking. Soaking the beans in water that is salted tenderizes them as wells as seasons them throughout.

It is recommended smoking the sausage at home in a roasting pan, but for ease, go ahead and use a smoked ham hock and bulk out the soup with the meat from a half-rack of baby back ribs. Topped with quick-­pickled onions and fresh dill, this bright, brothy stew encompasses the hallmarks of Romanian cuisine—tangy, smoky and rich with flavor.

Romanian Pork and White Bean Soup with Vinegar and Caraway

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. dried great northern beans
  • 2 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
  • 2 medium celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
  • 1-lb. smoked ham hock, OR 1 lb. smoked pork neck
  • 1 1/2 lbs. pork baby back ribs (½ rack), cut between the bones into 3 sections
  • 28-oz. can whole tomatoes, finely crushed by hand
  • 2 tsp. caraway seeds
  • 1 qt. low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • Pickled red onions to serve, if desired

Directions

  1. First, soak the beans. In a large bowl, combine 3 quarts water, 1½ teaspoons salt and the beans. Stir until the salt dissolves, then soak at room temperature for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain the beans and set aside.
  2. In a large pot over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onions, celery, carrots and bell pepper, then cook, stirring often, until the vegetables begin to brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
  3. Add the soaked beans, ham hock, ribs, tomatoes with juices, caraway, broth and 1 quart water; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high, then cover, reduce to medium and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer, until the beans are tender and a paring knife inserted into the meat between the rib bones meets no resistance, about 2 hours.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Using tongs, transfer the ham hock and ribs to a large plate. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from both and shred into bite-size pieces; discard the bones, fat and gristle.
  5. Return the meat to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, then stir in the dill and vinegar. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pickled red onions, if desired.

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Original recipe by Diane Unger for Milk Street

Zucchini Fritters with Feta and Yogurt Cucumber Dill Sauce

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These crispy zucchini fritters make a wonderful starter or side dish, and they’re a delicious way to use up summer zucchini, because Lord knows, you or your neighbors are likely swamped with it. Of course there is always the local farm market or grocery store…

The word fritter usually conjures up something heavy and deep-fried, but these zucchini fritters are as light as can be. Serve them as a light vegetarian meal or mezze (small plate) with tzatziki and a Greek salad, or as a side dish to any Mediterranean-style fish, chicken or lamb dish.

To eliminate all of the excess moisture in zucchini, shred on a box shredder, salt it and let it drain in a fine mesh strainer for 10 minutes. Finally you want to wrap it tightly in a clean towel and squeeze out any lingering moisture. Do not let the zucchini sit on its own for too long after it’s been squeezed dry or it will turn brown.

Bind the dried zucchini with eggs and a little flour which allows its delicate flavor to shine. In ATK’s The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook where we found this recipe, and the one I followed, it did not mention baking powder as an ingredient. However, online it shows adding 1/2 teaspoon, which makes sense so I listed it below.

Oh, and do yourself a favor and buy a good block of feta cheese, not the pre-crumbled varieties. Odyssey and Mt Vikos are two great brands that contain no preservatives, additives, or calcium chloride and are Non-GMO. Traditional feta is made authentically by small family dairies in central Greece using fresh milk from sheep and goats.

Zucchini Fritters with Feta

  • Servings: 12 fritters
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. zucchini (about 2 medium), trimmed
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 scallions, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced or pressed through a garlic press
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more if necessary
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

  1. Shred the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater or in a food processor fitted with the shredding disk. Transfer the zucchini to a fine mesh strainer and set over a bowl. Toss the zucchini with the salt and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Put zucchini in a clean dish towel and fold and wring out real well with (you may need to repeat with another towel), then set aside.
  3. Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Mix in the dried zucchini, scallions, dill, feta, garlic and black pepper. Sprinkle the flour (or corn starch) and baking powder over mixture and stir until uniformly incorporated.
  4. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drop 2-tablespoon sized portions into the pan, then use the back of a spoon to gently press the batter into 2-inch-wide fritters. Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Repeat as needed.
  5. Transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate. Add a bit more oil to the pan if necessary, then repeat with the remaining batter. Serve warm or room temperature with lemon wedges.

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By Jennifer Segal, adapted from Cooks Illustrated

Yogurt Cucumber Dill Sauce

Not a dill fan? Substitute cilantro, mint, parsley or tarragon instead. Sauce can be made one day ahead.

Yogurt Cucumber Dill Sauce

  • Servings: Yields about 2 cups
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh dill
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and shredded
  • Salt and Pepper

Directions

  1. Whisk yogurt, oil and garlic together in a medium bowl until combined.
  2. Stir in cucumber and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Refrigerate covered. Take out and leave on counter for 30 minutes before eating.

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Herby Potato Salad

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A bit of a twist, this classic potato salad adaptation from Good Housekeeping utilizes lots of fresh, tender herbs, and is a little more sophisticated looking than the typical bowl of potato salad.

The spuds are kept whole, but smashed with the bottom of a cup after cooking them in water. Then they get mixed with the mayonnaise mixture, spread onto a platter and capped with scallions, parsley and dill. While it may look like an overload of toppings, remember there aren’t any actually mixed into the potatoes (although I did reduce the amount of parsley down to about 2/3 cup).

Served at room temperature, it made a wonderful side to grilled bratwurst sausages and caramelized onions. Go ahead and cook the baby reds in the morning or the day before, and save yourself some time at dinner.

Herby Potato Salad

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 24 oz. baby red potatoes
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1⁄4 cup sour cream
  • 1 1⁄2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish, drained
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup torn flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • Flaky sea salt for serving

Directions

  1. Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, add 1/2 tablespoon salt, reduce heat and simmer until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
  2. Drain and run under cold water for 30 seconds. Drain well and pat dry.
  3. On cutting board, gently flatten each potato with bottom of cup.
  4. While potatoes cook, in a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, mustard, lemon juice and 1⁄2 teaspoon each salt and pepper until smooth.
  5. In a large bowl, gently toss potatoes with the dressing. On serving platter, arrange potatoes in single layer, drizzle with any remaining dressing and sprinkle with herbs and scallions. Add more salt and pepper, if desired.

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Adapted from a recipe for Good Housekeeping Magazine